The Medici: Birth of a Dynasty

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The Medicis were the godfathers of the Renaissance, whose
patronage generated the works of Leonardo, Galileo and
Michelangelo. This four-part docu-drama, directed by Justin Hardy,
tells the story of this ambitious family of bankers who expanded
their business across Europe in the 15th century after backing a
successful papal candidate.

Tonight's episode looks at Cosimo Medici's support for the arts,
which kick-started the greatest cultural revolution the world had
known and dragged Europe out of a medieval swamp. Cosimo used the
arts to gain prestige and power, and created an unprecedented art
market.

One of his beneficiaries was the genius architect Brunelleschi,
who built the great dome of Florence's cathedral with 4 million
bricks.

The narration is melodramatic, but stick with it because the
insights into the Medici phenomenon and its legacy are
compelling.